Hapten-mediated immunopurification of membrane proteins labeled with fluorescein derivatives

The behavior of cell surface components labeled with fluorochromes can be studied by fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy; further structural analyses would be facilitated by purification of the labeled components. We have developed a protocol for identifying the targets for labeling with fluorescein derivatives, by using 125I- diiodofluorescein isothiocyanate ( 125IFC ) and for isolating the labeled components with anti-IFC immunoadsorbents. Anti-IFC antibodies obtained from rabbits immunized with IFC-hemocyanin were purified by affinity chromatography and coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. The anti-IFC immunoadsorbents could then be used to isolate the entire set of 125IFC -proteins from crude detergent extracts of labeled sea urchin sperm, with a 70% yield and a purification of more than 250 fold. Nonspecific binding of unlabeled proteins to the immunoadsorbent was insignificant. When the immunoadsorbent IFC-protein complex was used directly as an immunogen, antibodies were obtained that reacted with the underivatized proteins that were targets for IFC labeling, as indicated by immunoblotting after gel electrophoresis. The antibodies also reacted with the surface of unlabeled sperm as shown by immunofluorescence. Thus, by treating the IFC-sperm proteins as a class, we obtained antibodies that recognized the unlabeled proteins in situ or in cell extracts. This approach should be generally useful in obtaining reagents directed against specific cell surface components.     

Sperm surface proteins persist after fertilization

Certain sperm components labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate or its radioactive derivative, 125I-diiodofluorescein isothiocyanate (125IFC), are transferred at fertilization to the egg, where they persist throughout early cleavage stages at a localized site in the embryo cytoplasm (Gabel, C. A., E. M. Eddy, and B. M. Shapiro, 1979, Cell, 18:207-215; Gundersen, G. G., C. A. Gabel, and B. M. Shapiro, 1982, Dev. Biol., 93:59-72). By using image intensification we have extended these observations in the sea urchin to the pluteus larval stage, in which greater than 60% of the embryos have localized fluorescent sperm components. Because of the unusual persistence of the sperm components in the embryo, a characterization of the nature of the labeled species in sea urchin sperm was undertaken. Approximately 10% of the 125IFC was in sperm polypeptides of Mr greater than 15,000. These proteins were on the sperm surface as shown by their sensitivity to externally added proteases. The remainder of the 125IFC in sperm was in several low- molecular-weight species, none of which was 125IFC-derivatized phospholipid. To determine if any labeled sperm polypeptides remained intact in the embryo after fertilization, 125IFC-labeled sperm proteins were recovered from one-cell and late gastrula stage embryos by using an anti-IFC immunoadsorbent. Most of the labeled sperm proteins were degraded shortly after fertilization; however, distinct sets of labeled polypeptides were recovered from both one-cell and gastrula stage embryos. Six of the labeled polypeptides recovered from both embryonic stages had identical SDS gel mobilities as labeled sperm polypeptides. Other polypeptides in the embryos appeared to arise from limited proteolysis of sperm proteins. Thus, in this physiological cell fusion system, individual sperm proteins are transferred to the egg at fertilization, and some persist intact or after specific, limited degradation long after gamete fusion, until at least the late gastrula stage.     

After fertilization, sperm surface components remain as a patch in sea urchin and mouse embryos

Sea urchin and mouse sperm that are labeled on their surfaces with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TMRTC) or 125I-diiodofluorescein isothiocyanate (125IFC) remain viable and can fertilize eggs. When sea urchin eggs were fertilized with 125IFC-labeled sperm, the radioactivity from the sperm was quantitatively transferred to the egg (at a ratio of one sperm equivalent per egg) and persisted in the embryo as it developed to the pluteus larval state (5 days at 12 degrees C). The radioactivity was acid-precipitable and was associated with the particulate fraction of embryo homogenates. In addition, FITC-labeled sea urchin sperm were used to fertilize eggs, and the labeled components were followed by fluorescence microscopy. In the embryo, labeled sperm components were present as a discrete patch that was partitioned unequally during early cleavages. In experiments using mouse sperm labeled with TMRTC, the labeled sperm components were also transferred to the embryo as a discrete patch that was again distributed unequally after cleavage. This physiological cell fusion system therefore has distinctive characteristics: there is limited lateral mobility of surface components, which have a low turnover rate unlike that see in other systems. In this paper, we discussed the possible morphogenetic role of this unusual behavior.     

The biochemical identification of fibronectin in the sea urchin embryo

We report the biochemical identification of fibronectin in the basal lamina of the sea urchin embryo. A. punctulata gastrula stage embryos were solubilized in Triton X-100 and the insoluble basal laminae extracted by incubation in buffer containing 8M urea, 2% 2-mercaptoethanol and 2% SDS. Extracted proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose filters and probed with monospecific antibodies directed against human plasma fibronectin (pFN). Incubation in 125I-labelled secondary antibody revealed a single band which co-migrates with human pFN at an apparent molecular weight of 220,000. This is the first direct biochemical demonstration of a fibronectin-like molecule in the sea urchin embryo which cross reacts with antibodies to vertebrate fibronectin.     

An intermediate state of fertilization involved in internalization of sperm components

The pathway of sperm entry during sea urchin fertilization was analyzed by using sperm covalently labeled with fluorescent and radioactive tracers. Sperm that have been covalently labeled on their surfaces with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or a radioactive congener, diiodofluorescein isothiocyanate (¹²⁵IFC), transfer labeled components to the egg that persist throughout early development. In order to study the transfer of sperm components and their fate after fertilization, cytochalasin B-dependent inhibition of fertilization, previously shown to permit the cortical reaction of sea urchin eggs but block sperm pronuclear incorporation, was investigated. Under certain conditions cytochalasin B or D (CB or CD) results in about half of the activated eggs having both the sperm nucleus and the fluorescently labeled sperm components arrested apparently at the level of the egg plasma membrane. This arrest of internalization was reversed by removal of CB or CD, and the sperm derivatives entered the egg. When sperm were labeled noncovalently with ethidium bromide or rhodamine 123, fluorescence was transferred to the egg in the cytochalasin-inhibited state in a fashion similar to that found in normal fertilization; in both cases the sperm fluorescence disappeared within a few minutes of fertilization, due to the repartitioning of the noncovalent dyes into the egg cytoplasm. It is concluded that cytochalasin arrests fertilization at an intermediate step in which the sperm has fused with the egg to achieve cytoplasmic continuity, but in which the subsequent internalization of sperm components is inhibited. After removal of cytochalasins the fluorescent sperm components move from the egg surface to an internal site, a process that can be monitored by time-lapse video microscopy with an image intensifier to permit extended observations of sperm fluorescence. The cytoplasmic location of labeled sperm components was substantiated by autoradiography of early embryos fertilized with ¹²⁵IFC-labeled sperm; transfer of sperm components to an internal site was seen after fertilization of either sea urchin or mouse eggs. Taken together, the data suggest that the fate of the labeled sperm surface components, as well as that of the sperm nucleus, is to be transferred to the egg cytoplasm, and that this transfer is mediated by the actin-dependent cytoskeleton of the egg.     

Isolation and characterization of the vitelline layer of sea urchin eggs

The vitelline layers (VLs) of unfertilized sea urchin eggs were isolated by homogenization in a hypotonic medium containing Triton X- 100 and EDTA. The surface topography of the VL is not changed by isolation. The thickness of the isolated VLs (300-400 A) is greater than that reported for VLs on intact eggs (100-200 A). Sperm adhere to the isolated VLs. When both internal and external VL surfaces are accessible to sperm, the sperm attach only to the external surface, suggesting that the external surface may carry sperm receptor proteins not present on the internal surface. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows that isolated VLs are composed of numerous proteins ranging from greater than 213,000 to 25,000 daltons. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed 125I-iodination of unfertilized eggs labels two high molecular weight bands that stain faintly for carbohydrate. VLs are 90% protein and 3.5% carbohydrate. No predominance of a single amino acid or class of amino acids was found. Carbohydrate analysis yields fucose, mannose, galactose, glucose, xylose, glucosamine, galactosamine, and sialic acid. Controls for purity indicate that isolated VLs contain 2% protein of cytoplasmic origin and no more than 2.5% egg jelly.     

Hydrophobic properties of the beta 1 and beta 2 subunits of the rat brain sodium channel

Voltage-sensitive sodium channels purified from rat brain in functional form consist of a stoichiometric complex of three glycoprotein subunits, alpha of 260 kDa, beta 1 of 36 kDa, and beta 2 of 33 kDa. The alpha and beta 2 subunits are linked by disulfide bonds. The hydrophobic properties of these three subunits were examined by covalent labeling with the photoreactive hydrophobic probe 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine [( 125I]TID) which labels transmembrane segments in integral membrane proteins. All three subunits of the sodium channel were labeled by [125I]TID when the purified protein was solubilized in mixed micelles of Triton X-100 and phosphatidylcholine (4:1). The half-time for photolabeling was approximately 7 min consistent with the half-time of 9 min for photolysis of TID under our conditions. Comparable amounts of TID per mg of protein were incorporated into each subunit. Purified sodium channels reconstituted in phosphatidylcholine vesicles were also labeled by TID with comparable incorporation per mg of protein into all three subunits. The efficiency of photolabeling of the three subunits was reduced from 39 to 44% by a 2-fold expansion of the hydrophobic phase of the reaction mixture but was unaffected by a 2-fold expansion of the aqueous phase, confirming that the photolabeling reaction took place in the lipid phase of the vesicle bilayer. The hydrophobic properties of the sodium channel subunits were examined further using phase separation in the nonionic detergent Triton X-114. Under conditions in which beta 1 is dissociated from alpha, the beta 1 subunit was preferentially extracted into the Triton X-114 phase, and the disulfide-linked alpha beta 2 complex was retained in the aqueous phase. When the disulfide bonds between the alpha and beta 2 subunits were reduced with dithioerythritol, the beta 2 subunit was also preferentially extracted into the Triton X-100 phase leaving the free alpha subunit in the aqueous phase. A preparative method for isolation of the beta 1 and beta 2 subunits was developed based on this technique. Considered together, the results of our hydrophobic labeling and phase separation experiments indicate that the alpha, beta 1, and beta 2 subunits all have substantial hydrophobic domains that may interact with the hydrocarbon phase of phospholipid bilayer membranes. Since the alpha subunit is known to be a transmembrane protein with many potential membrane-spanning segments, we conclude that the beta 1 and beta 2 subunits are likely to also be integral membrane proteins with one or more membrane-spanning segments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase in sea urchin sperm tails: association of the enzyme with the flagellar axonemes

When sea urchin spermatozoa were treated with a Triton X-100 solution, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cA-kinase) activity was extracted. Further extraction with Triton X-100 of axonemes isolated from the Triton-extracted sperm again released a considerable amount of the cA-kinase activity. The activity which remained after extraction three times with Triton X-100 was released by treatment with a low salt solution. These activities found in the various extracts were likely to be due to the same cA-kinase, which was a mammalian type II-like enzyme. The cA-kinase activity that remained in the axonemes after the first Triton X-100 extraction may be involved in the regulation of flagellar movement in the Triton-extracted sperm.     

Changing localizations of site-specific surface antigens during sea urchin spermiogenesis

Whole mount preparations of dissociated testicular cells from the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, were exposed to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against sperm surface proteins. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and Western immunoblot analysis show that mAb J18/29 binds to the entire surface of the mature spermatozoon and membrane proteins ranging in relative molecular masses from 25 to 340 kDa. MAb J18/2 binds to the acrosomal and tail regions of the mature spermatozoon and mainly to a 210-kDa membrane protein. MAb J17/30 binds to the midpiece and tail regions and monospecifically to a 60-kDa membrane protein. MAb J16/33 binds specifically to the sperm midpiece but does not bind to Western immunoblots of sperm membrane proteins. With the exception of J16/33, which shows a punctate binding pattern, all of these mAbs show uniform binding over the entire surface of the early spermatid. This uniform and complete surface binding is observed through all stages of spermiogenesis for mAb J18/29. By the midspermatid stage, when tail formation first begins, but before the nucleus condenses and the cytoplasm decreases in volume, localized binding patterns of mAbs J17/30 and J16/33 become evident. Localized binding of mAb J18/2 is not observed until the late spermatid stage. These results show that the sea urchin sperm surface is composed of at least four different domains and provide the first insight into differentiation of the cell surface during sea urchin spermatogenesis.     

Effect of triton X-100 on ultrastructure,reactivation, and motility characteristics of ram spermatozoa

For optimal extraction and reactivation of ram sperm, glutamate, dithiothreitol, magnesium, and cyclic AMP were required in a medium of pH 7.9. On extraction with 0.01 % Triton X-100, ram sperm were only partially demembranated, and extensive areas of plasma membrane remained intact especially in the midpiece region. Treatment with 0.1% Triton X-100 removed all plasma membranes and extracted the mitochondrial membrane and matrix. In the absence of ATP, 16.6% ± 0.4 of the partially demembranated sperm were motile, but sperm extracted with 0.1% Triton X-100 were completely immotile. On adding ATP partially demembranated sperm reactivated better (81.6% ± 2.8) than sperm completely demembranated in 0.1 % Triton X-100 (39.5% ± 4.6). The release of intracellular LDH rose linearly with increasing concentrations of the detergent from 0.01 to 0.05%, at which it plateaued. There was a significant increase in beat frequency and forward velocity of partially demembranated sperm when treated with ATP. Partially demembranated sperm had intact mitochondria that presumably were still able to produce ATP, although the spermatozoan movement was stimulated by exogenous ATP.     

Subunit interactions of vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein influenced by detergent micelles and lipid bilayers.

The envelope glycoprotein (G protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus is a transmembrane protein that exists as a trimer of identical subunits in the virus envelope. We have examined the effect of modifying the environment surrounding the membrane-spanning sequence on the association of G protein subunits using resonance energy transfer. G protein subunits were labeled with either fluorescein isothiocyanate or rhodamine isothiocyanate. When the labeled G proteins were mixed in the presence of the detergent octyl glucoside, mixed trimers containing both fluorescent labels were formed as a result of subunit exchange, as shown by resonance energy transfer between the two labels. In contrast when fluorescein- and rhodamine-labeled G proteins were mixed in the presence of Triton X-100, no resonance energy transfer was observed, indicating that subunit exchange did not occur in Triton X-100 micelles. However, if labeled G proteins were first mixed in the presence of octyl glucoside, energy transfer persisted after dilution with buffer containing Triton X-100. This result indicates that the G protein subunits remained associated in Triton X-100 micelles and that the failure to undergo subunit exchange was due to lack of dissociation of G protein subunits. Chemical cross-linking experiments confirmed that G protein was trimeric in the presence of Triton X-100. The efficiency of resonance energy transfer between labeled G protein was higher when G proteins were incorporated into dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes compared to detergent micelles. This result indicates that the labels exist in a more favorable environment for energy transfer in membranes than in detergent micelles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The use of the 2-iminobiotin-avidin interaction for the selective retrieval of labeled plasma membrane components

A general method for the selective retrieval of surface labeled plasma membrane components had been devised. The basis of the technique is the covalent attachment of compounds containing 2-iminobiotin, the cyclic guanidino analog of biotin, onto the cell surface proteins and the use of immobilized avidin to recover the labeled components uncontaminated by other cytosolic and membrane components. The pH-dependent interaction of 2-iminobiotin with avidin makes recovery possible. At high pH the free base form of 2-iminobiotin retains the high affinity specific binding to avidin characteristic of biotin, whereas at acidic pH values, the salt form of the analog interacts poorly with avidin. Model studies on the interaction of 2-iminobiotinylated proteins with avidin-Sepharose 4B show that for tight binding to the affinity matrix, the pH of the column must be 9.5 or higher, that a single 2-iminobiotin group is sufficient for binding, and that proteins with different extents of labeling behave similarly when the low pH buffer is applied. When intact human erythrocytes were sequentially labeled with periodate and 2-iminobiotin hydrazide and the Triton X-100-solubilized plasma membrane proteins were subjected to affinity isolation, the major sialoglycoproteins, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) 1, PAS 2, and PAS 3, plus two proteins with apparent molecular weights higher than band 3 were retrieved. The recovery of these proteins is not due to a nonspecific adsorption to the affinity matrix.     

Radioiodination and characterization of the plasma membrane of sea urchin sperm

Two methods were used to radioiodinate sea urchin sperm: lactoperoxidase-glucose oxidase and Iodo-Gen. Following iodination the sperm are viable, they undergo the acrosome reaction, and they fertilize eggs. Of the radioactivity associated with the labeled sperm, 28–50% is presumed to be free ¹²⁵I^?, 37–47% is incorporated in lipid, and 8–15% is in trypsin-digestible material believed to be protein. Digestion of the labeled, living sperm with trypsin removes 95.6–99.5% of the macromolecular label (the cells are alive after digestion) suggesting that almost all the protein label is on the external surface of the cell. Thin-layer chromatography of the lipid fraction shows that the major membrane phospholipids and cholesterol are labeled. SDS-PAGE analysis shows the protein-incorporated ¹²⁵I is distributed among four glycoproteins of >250K, 84K, 64K, and 52K dalton apparent molecular weight. Twenty-eight percent of the total protein (trypsin-digestible) label is in the 84K component and 46% in the 64K band. Although both molecules contain much of the label, they are relatively minor components of the TX-100 extract of sperm. The methods outlined will be useful in determining the role of sperm surface components in fertilization.     

Evidence that the hydrophobic domain of rat renal γ-glutamyltransferase spans the brush border membrane

Lactoperoxidase and glucose oxidase catalyzed ¹²⁵I-iodination was used to specifically label isolated rat renal brush border membrane vesicles from either side of the membrane. Autoradiography of total membrane proteins demonstrated that asymmetric labeling was achieved. Specific immunoprecipitates of aminopeptidase M, an established transmembrane protein, and of γ-glutamyltransferase were isolated from vesicles solubilized with Triton X-100 or with papain. Following electrophoresis and autoradiography, the immunoprecipitates of the two solubilized forms of each enzyme derived from externally labeled vesicles exhibited the same intensity of labeling. In these experiments, the small subunit of the γ-glutamyltransferase was preferentially labeled suggesting that, compared to the large subunit, it is more exposed on the external surface of the membrane. With the samples derived from internally labeled vesicles, the Triton-solubilized form of each enzyme was intensely labeled, whereas the papain-solubilized forms contained insignificant amounts of radioactivity. Thus, the extent of contramembrane labeling was minimal. In these experiments, the large subunit of the γ-glutamyltransferase was preferentially labeled. The similarity of the labeling patterns obtained for aminopeptidase M and γ-glutamyltransferase suggests that the hydrophobic domain of the two amphipathic enzymes are selectively labeled from the internal surface and that the γ-glutamyltransferase may also be a transmembrane protein.     

Localization of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae cytadherence-accessory proteins HMW1 and HMW4 in the cytoskeletonlike Triton shell.

The location of the cytadherence-accessory high-molecular weight proteins 1 and 4 (HMW1/4) within Mycoplasma pneumoniae cells has been studied by both biochemical and electron microscopic techniques. Peptide mapping studies demonstrated that HMW1/4 share almost identical peptide profiles, suggesting that the two proteins are structurally related. Examination of thin sections of M. pneumoniae with antibodies to HMW1/4 and colloidal gold particles revealed distinct labeling of the filamentous extensions of the mycoplasma cells. Labeling was absent on thin sections of a cytadherence-deficient variant lacking HMW1/4. HMW1/4 partitioned in the detergent-insoluble fraction following Triton X-100 extraction, and analysis by sucrose density gradient centrifugation suggested that HMW1/4 are part of a high-molecular-weight, multiprotein complex. These results were confirmed by immunogold labeling of Triton X-100-extracted M. pneumoniae cells incubated with antibodies to HMW1/4: gold particles bound in specific clusters to detergent-insoluble filaments. Finally, immunogold labeling of whole cells revealed that HMW1/4 are exposed on the cell surface, although to a lesser degree than on the cell interior. These findings indicate that HMW1/4 are membrane proteins associated with the cytoskeletonlike triton shell of M. pneumoniae and localized primarily in the filamentous extensions of the mycoplasma cells.     

Combined chemical and enzymatic stable isotope labeling for quantitative profiling of detergent-insoluble membrane proteins isolated using Triton X-100 and Brij-96

Effective quantitative profiling of detergent-insoluble membrane proteins using high-throughput mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics would allow a better understanding of physiological and pathological processes that take place at the cell surface. To increase the coverage of proteins present in detergent-resistant membrane microdomains (DRMMs), a combination of 16O/18O and isotope coded affinity tags (ICAT) labeling was used in a comparative analysis of detergent-insoluble membrane proteins isolated from rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3), with either Triton X-100 or Brij-96. The analysis resulted in the quantification of 738 unique proteins from Triton X-100 and Brij-96 isolated DRMMs, significantly exceeding the number of proteins quantified from either single labeling technique. Twenty-five noncysteine-containing proteins were quantified, as well as 32 cysteine-containing proteins that would have been missed if either 16O/18O or ICAT labeling had been used exclusively, which illustrate better proteome coverage and enhanced ability to quantitate. The comparative analysis revealed that proteins were more readily extracted using Triton X-100 than Brij-96; however, Triton X-100 also extracted larger quantities of non-DRMMs-associated proteins. This result confirms previous, targeted studies suggesting that DRMMs isolated using Triton X-100 and Brij-96 differ in their protein content.     

The detergent solubility properties of a malarial (Plasmodium knowlesi) variant antigen expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes

Four detergents have been compared for identification of the Plasmodium knowlesi variant antigen on infected erythrocytes by immunoprecipitation analysis. Erythrocytes infected with late trophozoite and schizont forms of cloned asexual parasites were labeled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination and extracted either with the anionic detergents sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or cholate, the neutral detergent Triton X-100, or the zwitterion 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS). After addition of Triton X-100 to SDS and cholate extracts, parallel immunoprecipitations of the four extracts were performed using rhesus monkey antisera of defined agglutinability. Identical results were obtained with clone Pk1(A+), which has 125I-variant antigens of Mr 210,000 and 190,000, and with clone Pk1(B+)1+, which has variant antigens of Mr 200,000-205,000. SDS yielded maximal levels of immunoprecipitated 125I-variant antigens. Variant-specific immunoprecipitation was detected in some experiments with Triton X-100 and cholic acid but with significantly lower recovery than with SDS. CHAPS extraction did not yield the variant antigens on immunoprecipitation. The variant antigens could also be identified in Triton X-100-insoluble material by subsequent extraction with SDS, indicating that failure to recover these proteins in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction is due to failure of this detergent to extract the variant antigens rather than to degradation during extraction. We suggest that the 125I-variant antigens either have a structure that renders them intrinsically insoluble in Triton X-100, cholate, or CHAPS, or that they are associated in some way with host cell membrane components that also resist solubilization by these detergents.     

Role of the sperm proteasome during fertilization and gamete interaction in the mouse

In this work, we have investigated the role of the sperm proteasome during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete interaction in the mouse. Proteasome activity was measured in extract and intact sperm using a specific substrate. In addition, sperm were treated with specific proteasome inhibitors and evaluated during IVF, binding to the zona pellucida, and progesterone- and zona pellucida-induced acrosome reactions. In other experiments, sperm membrane proteins were obtained resuspending them in Triton X-114, shaking vigorously and let standing by 4 hr. Soluble sperm proteins were partitioned in the aqueous phase and sperm membrane proteins in the detergent phase. In both phases, proteasome activity was measured. Labeling of cell surface sperm proteins was carried out with the cell-impermeable NHS-LC biotin, extracted with Triton X-114, and mixing with avidin-agarose beads. Nonpermeabilized sperm were incubated with an anti-proteasome monoclonal antibody and evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence. The results indicate that sperm extracts as well as intact sperm had proteasome activity; the sperm proteasome was involved in IVF, specifically during sperm-zona pellucida binding and the acrosome reaction; soluble sperm membrane proteins exhibited proteasome activity; biotin experiments indicated the presence of proteasomes on the sperm surface, which was corroborated by indirect immunofluorescence experiments. All these observations indicate that the mouse sperm proteasome participates in the binding to the zona pellucida and the acrosome reaction and that there is a pool of proteasomes located on the sperm head.     

Protein synthesis and secretion in the human epididymis and immunoreactivity with sperm antibodies

The synthesis and secretion of proteins in the different regions of the human epididymis were studied in vitro. Epididymal tissues obtained from patients undergoing castration for prostatic carcinoma or from cadavers were incubated in the presence of [35S]methionine, and the resulting radiolabeled proteins were analysed on SDS-PAGE. The corpus region was found to be the most active segment in total protein synthesis. Significant qualitative and quantitative changes were observed in the pattern of proteins secreted from the different epididymal regions. To establish those epididymal proteins that interact with maturing sperm, the secreted products were immunoreacted with antibodies raised against a Triton X-100 extract of ejaculated human sperm heads. The antibodies react mainly with the head region of ejaculated spermatozoa as judged by indirect immunofluorescence. Protein A-gold labeling of freeze-fracture images showed gold particle distribution on the sperm plasma membrane. Western blot analysis of the secreted proteins revealed four bands (66, 37, 32, and 29 kDa) in the proximal regions and six additional bands (80, 76, 48, 27, 22, and 17 kDa) in the distal part of the epididymis. Immunoprecipitation of the secreted proteins with these antibodies revealed six radioactive bands of 170, 80, 76, 60, 48, and 37 kDa, which indicates that certain proteins of epididymal origin bind to the sperm plasma membrane.     

Identification of human sperm surface glycoproteins recognized by autoantisera from immune infertile men, women, and vasectomized men

To identify the surface antigens of human sperm recognized by antisera from immune infertility patients and vasectomized men, we labeled sperm surface proteins with 125I- and used patient antisera for immunoprecipitation. Sera were studied from 27 infertile males, 18 infertile females, and 4 vasectomized males, each possessing anti-sperm antibodies detected by immunobead binding. Sera from different infertile males, different infertile females, and vasectomized males were remarkably similar in their surface antigen recognition. The different sera specifically immunoprecipitated the same small group of 125I-labeled surface proteins, which included polypeptides in the region 90 kDa, 40-45 kDa, and 26 kDa. Treatment with N-glycanase showed that the proteins of 90 kDa, 40-45 kDa, and 26 kDa were glycoproteins with N-linked carbohydrate. The immunoprecipitated 125I-labeled proteins and the total extract of 125I-labeled surface proteins were compared on two-dimensional (2D) gels. The results show the 90 kDa polypeptide is a major sperm surface component, whereas 40-45 kDa and 26 kDa polypeptides are minor components. The 2D gel comparison also indicates that 90 kDa, 40-45 kDa, and 26 kDa are a small subset of the total ensemble of sperm surface proteins. Clinical data suggest antibodies to these few proteins interfere with sperm function.